Dynamic negotiation and authorization system to record rights-managed content

ABSTRACT

A content recording system comprises a digital media recording device to record content. A rights-management module is in electrical communication with the digital media recording device to detect a desired recording performed by the digital media recording device. The rights-management module further communicates digital rights information of a rights-managed content to the digital recording device. The recording of the rights-managed content is performed according to the digital rights information.

BACKGROUND

The embodiments generally relate to recordation of rights-managedcontent, and more specifically, to negotiating and authorizing digitalrecordings of rights-managed content.

With rights-managed content, the right to use and/or obtain the image istypically restricted, often with limitations. For example, some contentworks, i.e., content, require payment of a royalty fee in exchange for alicensing agreement authorizing particular terms of use. Other contentmay be obtained for free. Nevertheless, the free content may includeterms and conditions that users must comply with, such as limitations onduration of use, distribution, geographic region usage, industry usage,etc., as established by the licensing agreement.

A user might want to record desired content, for example byphotographing an object or recording a sound, while also desiring tocomply with any unknown copyright terms of the content. For example, auser may encounter a subject, object, sound, etc. that they would liketo record, but may not be aware of the terms and conditionscorresponding to the desired recording at that particular moment.Consequently, a user may have to forsake recording the desired contentto ensure copyright terms are not violated.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, a content recording system comprises adigital media recording device to record content. A rights-managementmodule is in electrical communication with the digital media recordingdevice to detect a desired recording performed by the digital mediarecording device. The rights-management module further communicatesdigital rights information of a rights-managed content to the digitalrecording device. The recording of the rights-managed content isperformed according to the digital rights information.

According to another embodiment, a content recording system thatdynamically negotiates terms and conditions of rights-managed contentincludes a digital media recording device configured to record a desiredcontent located a recording location. The system further includes alocation module configured to determine location information of therecording location. A content identifier module in electricalcommunication with the location module determines whether the desiredcontent is a right-managed content based on the location information. Anegotiation module is in electrical communication with the contentidentifier module to receive identity information of the right-managedcontent. The negotiation module is configured to communicate at leastone condition of the right-managed content to the digital mediarecording device prior to recording the right-managed content.

In yet another embodiment, a digital media recording apparatus includesa content recording module configured to record a rights-managedcontent. A communication module is configured to wirelessly communicatewith a rights-management module to receive at least one conditioncorresponding to the rights-managed content. The content recordingmodule is configured to record the rights-managed content according tothe at least one condition.

In still another embodiment, a method of negotiating a rights-managedrecording event comprises determining a content to be recorded, anddetermining whether the content is a rights-managed content. The methodfurther includes alerting to at least one condition at in response todetermining the content is a rights-managed content. The method furtherincludes performing a recording of the rights-managed content accordingto the at least one condition.

Additional features are realized through various embodiments. Otherembodiments are described in detail herein and are considered a part ofthe claimed invention. For a better understanding of the embodiments andthe features, refer to the description and to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter described herein is particularly pointed out anddistinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification.The forgoing and other features of the various embodiments are apparentfrom the following detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a peer-to-peer digital content recording systemaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates a digital content recording device according to atleast one embodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates a cloud-based digital content recording systemaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates a cloud-based digital content recording systemaccording to another embodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates a hybrid peer-cloud digital content recording systemaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 6 illustrates a hybrid peer-cloud hybrid digital content recordingsystem according to another embodiment;

FIG. 7 illustrates a digital content recording system including adynamic electronic calendar showing terms and condition information of arecorded content according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating a digital content recording systemto dynamically negotiate terms and conditions of rights-managed contentaccording to at least one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, a content recording system 100 is illustratedaccording to at least one embodiment. Although the content recordingsystem 100 is illustrated as a peer-to-peer system, the contentrecording system 100 is not limited thereto. The content recordingsystem 100 includes a digital media recording device 102 and arights-management module 104. The digital media recording device 102includes various recording devices capable of recording content as knownin the art. For example, the digital media recording device 102 mayinclude, but not limited to, a digital camera, a digital camcorder, adigital sound recorder, cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant(PDA) device, a personal computer (PC), a laptop computer, and a tabletcomputer. The digital media recording device 102 may record variousforms of content. For example, the digital media recording device 102may record a still-image and/or moving image of a desired content suchas, for example, an object, a person, or a scene. In addition, thedigital media recording device 102 may record a sound including, but notlimited to, music and voices.

The digital media recording device 102 may include an image capture unitto capture desired content, and a controller to initiate and/or confirmrecording authorization. The digital media recording device 102 mayfurther include a communication module 106 having a transmitter and/orreceiver that allows the digital media recording device 102 tocommunicate wirelessly. The communication module 106 may utilize variouswireless protocols to achieve wireless communication including, but notlimited to, Wi-Fi, radio frequency (RF) and Bluetooth.

The rights-management module 104 may include a transmitter 108, whichallows the rights-management module 104 to wirelessly communicate withone or more digital media recording device 102 according to variouswireless communication protocols including, but not limited to, Wi-Fi,radio frequency (RF) and Bluetooth. In at least one embodiment, therights-management module 104 may detect a desired recording of arights-managed content 110 and may wirelessly communicate digital rightsinformation of the rights-managed content 110 to the digital mediarecording device 102.

The digital media recording device 102 may also detect a notificationsignal broadcast by the rights-management module 104. In response todetecting the notification signal, the digital media recording device102 may request the digital rights information from therights-management module 104. Upon receiving the request, therights-management module 104 sends the digital rights information to thedigital media recording device 102. The digital media recording device102 may also utilize a quick response (QR) code formed on therights-managed content 110. In response to scanning the QR code, thedigital rights information may be transmitted to the digital mediarecording device 102 by a remotely located server storing the digitalrights information. The server may include, for example, a cloud server,as discussed in greater detail below. Although the rights-managementmodule 104 is illustrated as being coupled to the rights-managed content110, the system 100 is not limited thereto.

Further, a software application may be utilized to initiatecommunication between the digital media recording device 102 and therights-management module 104. For example, embedded code may bepre-stored on the digital media recording device 102, or a third-partysoftware application, i.e., “app”, may be downloaded by a user andstored on the digital media recording device 102.

Upon a successfully negotiation of terms and conditions between thedigital media recording device 102 and the rights-management module 104,the rights-management module 104 may communicate information informingthe content provider of the successful negotiation and recording. Forexample, the rights-management module 104 may transmit a message to thecontent provider which states, “three-hundred people recorded yourcontent today.”

The digital rights information may include various types of informationassociated with the rights-managed content 110. For example, the digitalrights information may include, but is not limited to, the name of therights-managed content 110, the name of the content provider, and one ormore terms and conditions associated with the rights-managed content110. The terms and conditions may include, but are not limited to,payment terms, image quality conditions, sound quality conditions andusage conditions associated with a recording of the rights-managedcontent 110. One or more terms and conditions may be dynamicallynegotiated using the digital media recording device 102, and therights-managed content 110 may be recorded based on whether the termsand conditions are accepted or declined, as discussed in greater detailbelow.

Referring further to FIG. 1, at least one embodiment of the recordingsystem 100 may include a content identifier module 112 in electricalcommunication with a negotiation module 114. Although the contentidentifier module 112 and the negotiation module 114 are illustrated aseach being integrated with the rights-management module 104 and coupledto the rights-managed content 110, the system 100 is not limitedthereto. The content identifier module 112 is configured to detect adesired recording of a desired content and to determine whether thedesired content is a right-managed content. The content identifiermodule 112 may detect a desired recording in various manners. Forexample, the content identifier module 112 may detect a recording signalbroadcast by the digital media recording device 102 in response tomanipulation of a recording button. In another embodiment, the digitalmedia recording device 102 may broadcast the recording signal after thedigital media recording device 102 performs an auto-focus on the desiredcontent. The recording signal may include, but is not limited to, thetype of desired recording (e.g., video, photograph, sound recording),recording device specifications, time of day and/or location informationsuch as Global Positions Satellite (GPS) coordinates. If the desiredcontent is determined to be a right-managed content, the contentidentifier module 112 may generate an identification (ID) signal, whichidentifies the right-managed content. The ID signal may provideinformation including, but not limited to, a name of the right-managedcontent, global position satellite (GPS) coordinates of theright-managed content, and other information that identifies theright-managed content.

The negotiation module 114 stores digital rights informationcorresponding to one or more respective rights-managed contents. Thenegotiation module 114 receives the ID signal from the contentidentifier module 112, and communicates the digital rights informationof the rights-managed content 110 to the digital media recording device102. The digital rights information may include one or more terms andconditions including, but not limited to, payment terms, image qualityconditions, sound quality conditions, usage rights of a recordedrights-managed content, and usage duration of a recorded rights-managedcontent.

The payment terms may include payment of a royalty fee in exchange forauthority to record the rights-managed image. The image qualitycondition may include granting permission to record the rights-managedcontent at different resolutions. For example, authorization to recordcontent at a lower image resolution may be granted without payment of afee, whereas agreeing to pay a royalty fee grants authorization torecord the rights-managed content at a higher resolution. In addition,image quality condition may include requiring a watermark be overlaid ona recording of the rights-managed content. The sound quality conditionmay be similar to the image quality condition. For example,authorization to record content at a lower fidelity may be grantedwithout payment of a fee, whereas agreeing to pay a royalty fee grantsauthorization to record the rights-managed content at a higher fidelity.In addition, the sound quality condition may require a sound overlay beincluded in a recording of the rights-managed sound, which gives creditto the rights-managed content source provider. The usage rights of arecorded rights-managed content may include limitations to reproduction,distribution, broadcastings, adaptations/variations, and sale of therecorded rights-managed content. Additionally, the usage rights mayrequire a content provider's name or source be embedded in the digitalfile as metadata. The usage duration of a recorded rights-managedcontent may allow recording of a limited duration of the rights-managedcontent, such as a limited recording duration of a sound, while paymentof a royalty fee grants authorization to record an entire duration ofthe rights-managed content.

In at least one embodiment, accepting the terms and conditions, e.g.,agreeing to pay royalty fees, causes the digital recording apparatus tooperate in a first mode, while declining the terms and conditions causesthe digital media recording apparatus to operate in a second mode. Thefirst mode may record the rights-managed content according to high imagequality, high sound quality, or no restrictions whatsoever. The secondmode, however, may record the rights-managed content at low imagequality, a low sound quality, or may prohibit recording of thedigital-rights managed content all together. In another embodiment, thedigital rights information may include one or more terms and conditionsthat must be accepted before authorization to record the rights-managedcontent is granted.

According to an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the content identifiermodule 112 communicates the ID signal to the negotiation module 114. Inresponse to receiving the ID signal, the negotiation module 114determines the digital-rights information corresponding to therights-managed content 110 indicated by the ID signal, and transfers thedigital rights information to the digital media recording device 102. Inaddition, the negotiation module 114 may transmit a digital rights keyor password to verify that permission to record rights-managed contenthas been granted. Accordingly, the digital media recording device 102may alert the user of the digital rights information received from thenegotiation module 11, thereby allowing the user to dynamically obtainproper authorization to record the rights-managed content 110.

More specifically, the digital media recording device 102 may include auser interface (UI) 116 and one or more selection keys 118, asillustrated in FIG. 2. The UI 116 may display data including, but notlimited to, a digital image of a desired content to be recorded, menusof the digital media recording device 102, status information of thedigital media recording device 102, and one or more alerts. If thedesired content to be recorded is a rights-managed content 110, the UI116 may display digital rights information, such as terms and conditions120, corresponding to the rights-managed content 110. The digital rightsinformation may be displayed in a message area, or may overlay thedigital content displayed by the UI 116. The selection key 118 may inputone or more selections to the UI 116. In at least one embodiment, theselection key 118 may input a selection that accepts or declines theterms and conditions 120. The digital media recording device 102 maythen record the rights-managed content 110 based on the selection. Forexample, if the user accepts to pay royalty fees in exchange for ahigher-quality image, the digital media recording device 102 may recordthe rights-managed content 110 at a higher resolution, e.g., 2240×1680.However, if the user declines payment of royalty fees, the digital mediarecording device 102 may record the rights-managed content 110 at alower resolution, e.g., 256×256, or may prevent recording the image alltogether. Accordingly, a user is dynamically informed of right-managedcontents and is provided the opportunity to obtain proper authorizationto record the rights-managed content.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a cloud-based content recording system 100′ isillustrated according to an embodiment. The cloud-based contentrecording system 100′ is similar to the content recording system 100described in detail above. The cloud-based content recording system 100′includes a digital media recording device 102 having a communicationmodule 106 to receive digital rights information corresponding to arights-managed content 110. However, instead of the rights-managementmodule 104 being located at the rights-managed content 110, therights-management module 104 is located at a cloud server 122. The cloudserver 122 may comprise a server network that includes the contentidentifier module 112 and the negotiation module 114. Accordingly, thedigital media recording device 102 may obtain digital rights informationwithout wirelessly communicating directly with the rights-managedcontent 110.

The cloud server may include one or more cloud computing nodes, whichmay also communicate with other cloud computing nodes. The cloudcomputing nodes may be grouped (not shown) physically or virtually inone or more networks, such as Private, Community, Public, or Hybridclouds, as described hereinabove, or a combination thereof. This allowsthe cloud server to offer infrastructure, platforms, and/or software asservices for which a cloud consumer does not need to maintain resourceson a local computing device. It is understood that the types ofelectronic devices and machines described herein are intended to beillustrative only and that the one or more computing nodes and the cloudserver may communicate with any type of computerized device and machineover any type of network and/or network addressable connection (e.g.,using a web browser). Program code located on one of cloud computingnodes may be stored on a computer recordable storage medium in one ofcloud computing nodes and downloaded to a computing device within thecomputing devices and machines over a data network, for example awireless communication network, for use in these computing devices. Forexample, a cloud server connected to one or more cloud computing nodesmay store program code on a computer readable storage medium on theserver computer. The cloud server computer may download the program codeto a client computer at the computing devices and machines in electricalcommunication with the data network for use on the client computer.

More specifically, the digital media recording device 102 may determinelocation information of the digital media recording device 102, i.e., arecording location. In at least one embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3,the communication module 106 of the digital media recording device 102may communicate with a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) system 124 todetermine GPS coordinates of the digital media recording device 102.Once the GPS coordinates are obtained, the communication module 106 maycommunicate with the cloud server 122 to send the GPS coordinates to thecontent identifier module 112. The content identifier module 112 maystore GPS coordinates of one or more rights-managed content. The contentidentifier module 112 may compare the GPS coordinates received from thedigital media recording device 102 with the stored GPS coordinates todetermine whether the recording location of the digital media recordingdevice 102 includes a rights-managed content 110. For example, if thecoordinates match, the content identifier module 112 may determine thatthe digital media recording device 102 is attempting to record theright-managed content rights-managed content 110 corresponding to thestored GPS coordinates.

In another example, although the GPS coordinates may not match exactly,the content identifier module 112 may determine that the GPS coordinatesof the digital media recording device 102 are in close range with storedGPS coordinates corresponding to a rights-managed content. The contentidentifier module 112 may then communicate with the negotiation module114 to obtain ID information, such as a name, image, etc., of therights-managed content 110, and send the ID information to the digitalmedia recording device 102. A user may then manipulate the selection key118 to confirm the rights-managed content 110 displayed by the UI 116 isthe desired content to be recorded. In response to the confirmation, thenegotiation module 114 may communicate the digital rights information ofthe rights-managed content 110 to the digital media recording device102, which may be alerted by the UI 116 accordingly.

In another example, the GPS coordinates of the digital media recordingdevice 102 may match stored GPS coordinates stored by the contentidentifier module 112, which correspond to a museum that applies one ormore conditions to the contents displayed therein. Based on the matchingGPS coordinates, the content identifier module 112 may obtain thedigital-rights information of the museum and send the digital rightsinformation to the digital media recording device 102 which may bedisplayed as described in detail above.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the cloud-based content recording system 100′may be applicable to recordings of audio rights-managed content, such asmusical sound recordings. Similar to the cloud-based content recordingsystem 100′, a digital media recording device 102, such as a smartphone, may detect a sound (S) that a user would like to be recorded. Inresponse to detecting the sound (S), the digital recording device maycommunicate the sound (S) to the cloud server 122. The contentidentifier module 112 may be stored with one or more rights-managedsound recordings, and may compare the sound (S) to the stored soundrecordings. If the sound (S) matches a stored sound recording, thecontent identifier module 112 may generate an ID signal that identifiesthe sound (S). The negotiation module 114 receives the ID signal, andcommunicates the digital rights information corresponding to the sound(S) to the digital media recording device 102. Accordingly, the digitalrights information, including one or more conditions such as a royaltyfee, may be displayed on the UI 116. In addition, the digital mediarecording device 102 may alert the user that the sound is aright-managed sound. The alert may include, for example, an icon, asound, a light, and/or a vibration. The user may manipulate a selectionkey 118 to either accept or deny the one or more conditions, and thedigital media recording device 102 may operate based on the user'sselection. For example, if the user accepts to pay a royalty fee inexchange, the digital media recording device 102 may record the sound(S) at a higher sound quality, e.g., a high-fidelity (hi-fi) recording.However, if the user declines payment of the royalty fee, the digitalmedia recording device 102 may record the sound (S) at a lower soundquality, e.g., lo-fi, or may prevent recording the sound (S) alltogether.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a hybrid peer-cloud digital content recordingsystem 100″ is illustrated according to an embodiment. The hybridpeer-cloud digital content recording system 100″ is similar to thecontent recording systems 100, 100′ described in detail above. Thehybrid peer-cloud digital content recording system 100″ includes adigital media recording device 102 having a communication module 106 toelectrically communicate the content identifier module 112 and/or thenegotiation module 114. However, the content identifier module 112 andthe negotiation module 114 are located remotely from one another. In anembodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the content identifier module 112 maybe located near a rights-managed content 110, while the negotiationmodule 114 is located at a cloud server 122. In this case, the contentidentifier module 112 may include a transmitter 110 to communicate withthe digital media recording device 102. The content identifier module112 may detect a desired recording event, and may transmit digitalrights information to the digital media recording device 102.

In at least one embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the rights-managedcontent 110 may include rights-managed content 110 that requires theuser of the digital recording device 102 to obtain a recording permitauthorizing recording of the rights-managed content 110. In response todetecting a recording event, the content identifier module 112 maytransmit ID information and/or digital rights information to the digitalmedia recording device 102. The information may include a URL addresswhich directs the user of the digital media recording device 102 to awebsite where the user may purchase the permit. Upon payment, thedigital media recording device 102 may communicate with the cloud server122 to receive an electronic copy of the permit stored in thenegotiation module 114. Accordingly, recording permits authorizingpermission to record the rights-managed content 110 may be dynamicallyobtained such that desired recordings may be performed.

Referring now to FIG. 6, another embodiment of a hybrid peer-clouddigital content recording system 100″ is illustrated. The hybridpeer-cloud digital content recording system 100″ of FIG. 6 operates asdiscussed above. However, the content identifier module 112 is formed asa radio-frequency identification (RFID) module 112′ capable ofcommunicating with the communication module 106 of the digital mediarecording device 102. The RFID module 112′ is a wireless non-contactsystem that uses radio-frequency electromagnetic fields to transmitdata. The RFID module 112′ may be sized extremely small, for exampleabout 10 millimeters (mm) to about 20 mm, such that the RFID module 112′may be conveniently possessed by a person 110′, such as located in apurse, wallet, pocket, etc.

Referring further to FIG. 6, a person 110′ may register the RFID module112′ and digital rights information with a service provider operatingthe cloud server 122. A user of the digital media recording device 102wishing to record the person 110′ possessing the RFID module 12′ mayreceive ID information and/or digital rights information form the RFIDmodule 112′ when attempting to perform a recording. The ID informationand/or digital rights may be displayed by the UI 116 of the digitalmedia recording device 102 and the user may decide to accept or declineone or more conditions as described in detail above. Although not shownin detail, the system 100″ may further leverage the GPS system 124 todetermine location information of the digital media recording device 102and/or the RFID module 112′, which may be further used to determinedigital rights information of the person 110′ possessing the RFID 112′.Although the RFID module 112′ is described as being possessed by aperson 110′, it can be appreciated that the RFID module 112′ may becoupled to various objects, such as art work, consumer goods, or otherobjects subject to digital recording rights.

The system 100″ may further include an ID confidence module 126.Although the ID confidence module 126 is shown to be connected to thenegotiation module 114 at the cloud server 122, the ID confidence module126 may also be in electrical communication with the digital mediarecording device 102 and/or a content identifier module 112, such as theRFID module 112′. The ID confidence module 126 is configured todetermine a confidence level corresponding to a likelihood that thedesired content displayed the UI 116 of the digital media recordingdevice 102 is a right-managed content. The confidence level may receivethe ID information transmitted from the RFID module 112′, or additionalID information including, but not limited to, an image, a name, and avoice-input, background images, location information and sound.Accordingly, the ID confidence module 126 may compare the ID informationprovided by the user and/or RFID module 112′ to the stored IDinformation to determine the confidence level. For example, a user mayprovide the ID confidence module 126 with an image of the person 110′ tobe recorded. The ID confidence module 126 may perform apattern-recognition, such as comparing the image of the person providedby the user with a pre-stored image of the person 110′ possessing theRFID module 112′. If the images match, the ID confidence module 126 maygenerate a confidence level signal that indicates a likelihood thatdigital rights information, such as royalty fees, distributionconditions, etc., are associated with the person 110′. The confidencelevel may be displayed on the UI 116 of the digital media recordingdevice 102 in various forms including, but not limited to, an icon andtext.

The confidence level may also be compared to a threshold level. Whenconfidence level exceeds the threshold level, it is determined that thedesired content is a rights-managed content. Accordingly, digital rightsinformation corresponding to the rights-managed content mayautomatically be sent to the digital media recording device andautomatically presented by a user interface.

The confidence level may also be utilized to determine whether arights-managed content 110 detected by the digital media recordingdevice 102 is in fact a correct rights-managed content 110′ to berecorded. For example, if a location has a plurality of rights-managedcontents, a confidence level may indicate to a user that a firstrights-managed content 110 detected by the digital media recordingdevice 102 is not the correct rights-managed content 110′ the userdesires to record. Accordingly, the user may re-execute the detectionprocess in an attempt to detect the correct rights-managed content 110′.In another example, if the desired content is a sound, the ID confidencemodule 126 may provide the user with a sound sample to allow the user toconfirm that the rights-managed content determined by the contentidentifier module 112 is correct rights-managed content which the userwould like to pay royalty fees. Although the ID confidence module 126 isdescribed in association with the system 100″, it can be appreciatedthat the ID confidence module 126 may be implemented in the system 100and the system 100′ described in detail above.

Still referring to FIG. 6, the communication module 106 of the digitalmedia recording device 102 may electrically communicate with a personalcloud server 128. The personal cloud server 128 may include data server130 that stores one or more applications including, but not limited to,spread sheet applications, data organization applications, emailapplications, social networking applications, image/sound editingapplications, calendar applications, or other graphical user interfaces.The personal cloud sever 128 may be accessed by a personal computingdevice 132, such as a personal computer, a laptop computer, a tabletcomputer, a PDA, and/or a smart phone.

Referring now to FIG. 7, an electronic calendar application 134 storedon a data server 130 of the personal cloud server 128 is illustratedaccording to at least one embodiment. The calendar application 134 mayautomatically be updated with recording information corresponding to oneor more recorded rights-managed contents, and may conveniently displaythe information as calendar entries. The recording information includes,but is not limited to, the name of the recorded content, locationinformation where the rights-managed content was recorded, an image ofthe recorded content, one or more rights obtained during the recordingof the rights-managed content and one or more notifications indicatingrestrictions of using the recorded content. For example, an annotationof “Content Recorded: Thursday, May 3, 2:30 pm; Location: Museum 1;Rights Purchased: Publication, Personal Use” maybe stored in thecalendar application 134.

A user may also access the calendar 134 using the personal computingdevice 132, without using the digital media recording device 102. Thepersonal computing device 132 may allow a user to edit the calendar 134and/or the recording information. In addition, other users mayoptionally share their electronic calendar content information to othersvia email and/or social network site allowing for possiblecollaborations, rights discussions, remuneration, etc. Accordingly, auser may conveniently track their recorded rights-managed content andthe corresponding rights obtained.

In another embodiment, the system may be implemented in a virtualuniverse (VU). A VU is a computer-based simulated environment throughwhich users can interact with one another and use and create virtualobjects, i.e., virtual content. A VU includes various interactive 3Dvirtual environments, where users may take the form of avatars visibleto others. These avatars usually appear as textual, two-dimensional, orthree-dimensional representations, although other forms are possible. Inaddition to creating avatars, VUs allow for the creation of virtualcontent, such as virtual art, virtual sculptures, virtual designs,sound, etc., which exist in the VU.

The VU is typically implemented as a software application stored on a VUsimulation server. A user may connect to the VU simulation server usingvarious computing devices including, but not limited to, a PC, a laptopcomputer, a tablet computer and a smart phone. Once connected, thecomputing device may display the VU on a user interface (UI), andmanipulate the VU using one or more input keys.

The computing device is capable of recording one or more virtualcontents displayed on the UI. In addition, computing device may recordentire screen shots of the VU displayed on the UI. Since the VU allowsusers to create VU content that is displayed to other users existing inthe VU, it can be appreciated that users may desire to assign one ormore recording rights to their VU content. That is, users of the VU maywish to subject their created VU content to digital recording rights.Accordingly, users may register their VU content and correspondingdigital recording information with VU service provider.

The digital recording systems described in detail above may beimplemented in the VU environment. The rights-management module 104 maybe included in the VU simulation server that hosts the VU, and maydetect an attempted recording operation performed by a personalcomputing device connected to the VU simulation server. The VUsimulation server may detect the content to be recorded in variousmanners including, but not limited, determining a location of an avatarwith respect to registered VU content, or detecting data manipulation,e.g., copying/downloading operation, of a registered VU content. Inresponse to determining that an attempted recording includes a VUrights-managed content, the VU simulation server may display IDinformation and/or digital rights information on the UI of the computingdevice. A user of the computing device may accept or decline the termsand conditions, and the recording of the VU rights-managed content maybe performed as described in detail above. In addition, the VU servermay control the recorded appearance of one or more VU contents. Forexample, a VU rights-managed content may be blurred, or substitutecontent, for example generic clothing, maybe is substitute for the VUrights-managed content for recording purposes.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a flow diagram illustrates a digital contentrecording system to dynamically negotiate terms and conditions of arights-managed content according to at least one embodiment. Atoperation 800, a desired content to be recorded is determined. Forexample, a user may discover a content of interest and may capture thedesired content in a view finder of a user interface. Once the desiredimage is displayed in the view finder, the user may manipulate arecording button to attempt a recording process. In at least oneembodiment, the recording device may transmit a recording signalindicating an attempt to record the desired content. At operation 802, adetermination is performed as to whether the desired content to berecorded is a rights-managed content. If the desired content is not arights-managed content, the recording device records the desiredcontents at operation 804, and method ends.

However, if the desired content is a rights-managed content, therecording device obtains terms and conditions for recording therights-managed content at operation 806. In at least one embodiment, arights-management module may detect the recording signal transmitted bythe recording device, and may respond by transmitting ID informationand/or digital rights information to the recording device. The recordingdevice may then alert the user that the desired content is arights-managed content. The user may be alerted in various waysincluding, but not limited to, outputting a sound, vibrating therecording device and/or displaying one or more terms and conditions on auser interface. At operation 808, a user may agree or decline the termsand conditions. In at least one embodiment, the user may utilize a userinterface of the recording device to input an accept command thataccepts the terms and conditions, or a decline command that declines theterms and conditions. If the user accepts the terms and conditions, therights-managed content is recorded accordingly at operation 810, and themethod ends. If the user declines the terms and conditions, however, thea limited recording of the rights-managed content is performed, or therecording of the rights-managed content may prevented all together atoperation 812, and the method ends.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of onemore other features, integers, steps, operations, element components,and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the various embodiments have been presented for purposesof illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the embodiments. Variousembodiments have been described in order to explain the inventiveprinciples and the practical applications, and to enable others ofordinary skill in the art to understand the features of the variousembodiments with various modifications, as are suited to the particularuse contemplated.

The flow diagrams depicted herein are just one example. There may bemany variations to this diagram or the steps (or operations) describedtherein without departing from the spirit of the embodiments. Forinstance, the steps may be performed in a differing order or steps maybe added, deleted or modified. All of these variations are considered apart of the claimed invention.

While various embodiments have been described, it will be understoodthat those skilled in the art, both now and in the future, may makevarious modifications which fall within the scope of the claims whichfollow. These claims should be construed to maintain the properprotection of the described invention.

1. A content recording system, comprising: a digital media recordingdevice to record content; and a rights-management module in electricalcommunication with the digital media recording device to communicatedigital rights information of the rights-managed content to the digitalrecording device, the digital media recording device configured torecord a rights-managed content according to the digital rightsinformation, wherein the rights-management module comprises: a contentidentifier module in electrical communication with the digital mediarecording device, the content identifier module configured to detect thedesired recording of a desired content and to determine whether thedesired content is a right-managed content; and a negotiation module inelectrical communication with the content identifier module and thedigital media recording device, the negotiation module configured todetermine at least one recording condition of included with the digitalrights information and to communicate the at least one condition to thedigital media recording device in response to determining theright-managed content.
 2. The content recording system of claim 1,wherein the digital media recording device includes a user interfaceconfigured to display the digital rights information.
 3. The contentrecording system of claim 2, wherein the user interface includes atleast one selection key to input an accept command that accepts the atleast one condition and to input a decline command that declines the atleast one condition.
 4. The content recording system of claim 3, whereinthe digital media recording device operates in a first mode in responseto the accept command and a second mode in response to the declinecommand, the first mode including one of recording the rights-managedcontent at a high image quality, or recording the image quality withoutrestrictions, and the second mode including one of recording therights-managed content at a low image quality less than the high imagequality, or preventing recording of the rights-managed content.
 5. Thecontent recording system of claim 4, wherein the content identifiermodule and the negotiation module are coupled to the rights-managedcontent, each of the content identifier module and the negotiationmodule configured to wirelessly communicate with the digital recordingdevice.
 6. The content recording system of claim 2, wherein therights-management module comprises a radio-frequency identification(RFID) module coupled to the desired content, and wherein the RFIDmodule communicates the digital rights information to at least one ofthe digital recording device and the content identifier module, andwherein the recording of a desired content by the digital mediarecording device is performed according to the digital rightsinformation.
 7. The content recording system of claim 6, wherein thedigital rights information includes at least one of locationinformation, content provider information, terms and conditions thatcontrol recording of the desired content, a URL address of a serverstoring terms and conditions of the desired content, and a URL addressof server storing a recording permit authorizing recording of thedesired content.
 8. The content recording system of claim 7, wherein theterms and conditions include at least one of payment terms, imagequality conditions, sound quality conditions, and usage rights.
 9. Thecontent recording system of claim 2, wherein the digital media recordingdevice is in electrical communication with a virtual simulation serverto display a three-dimensional (3D) simulated environment on the userinterface, and wherein the virtual simulation server detects a desiredrecording of a digital content appearing in the 3D simulatedenvironment, communicates at least one condition to the digital mediarecording device corresponding to the digital content, and performs therecording of the digital content according to the at least onecondition.
 10. A content recording system that dynamically negotiatesterms and conditions of rights-managed content, comprising: a digitalmedia recording device configured to record a desired content located atrecording location; a location module configured to determine locationinformation of the recording location; a content identifier module inelectrical communication with the location module to determine whetherthe desired content is a right-managed content based on the locationinformation; and a negotiation module in electrical communication withthe content identifier module to receive identity information of theright-managed content and to communicate at least one condition of theright-managed content to the digital media recording device prior torecording the right-managed content.
 11. The content recording system ofclaim 10, further comprising an ID confidence module configured todetermine a confidence level corresponding to a likelihood that thedesired content is a right-managed content.
 12. The content recordingsystem of claim 11, wherein the confidence level is based on at leastone of pattern-recognition, color, movement, background, sound, userinput information, and location information of the desired content. 13.A digital media recording apparatus, comprising: a content recordingmodule configured to record a rights-managed content; and acommunication module configured to wirelessly communicate with arights-management module to receive at least one condition correspondingto the rights-managed content, the content recording module configuredto record the rights-managed content according to the at least onecondition.
 14. The digital media recording apparatus of claim 13,wherein the digital media recording device includes a user interfaceconfigured to display the at least one condition, and includes at leastone selection key to input an accept command that accepts the at leastone condition and a decline command that declines the at least onecondition.
 15. The digital media recording apparatus of claim 14,wherein the content recording module stores a record of at least oneaccepted condition in response to the accept command.
 16. The digitalmedia recording apparatus of claim 15, wherein the at least onecondition includes at least one of terms and conditions that controlrecording corresponding to the rights-managed content, a URL address ofa server storing terms and conditions of the rights-managed content, anda URL address corresponding to a server that stores a recording permitauthorizing recording of the rights-managed content.
 17. The digitalmedia recording apparatus of claim 16, wherein the content recordingmodule automatically communicates a recorded rights-managed content andthe record of at least one accepted condition to a data server, the dataserver providing an application that automatically displays informationidentifying the recorded rights-managed content and the at least oneaccepted condition in a graphical user interface.
 18. The digital mediarecording apparatus of claim 17, wherein the terms and conditionsinclude at least one of payment terms in exchange for recordingauthorization, image quality conditions, sound quality conditions, andusage rights of a recorded desired content.
 19. A digital audiorecording device, comprising: an audio recording module configured torecord a desired audio content; and a confidence module that receivesthe desired audio content, determines a confidence level based on acomparison between the desired audio content to a predetermined audiocontent, and determines the desired content is a rights-managed contentin response to the confidence level exceeding a threshold level; and acommunication module configured to wirelessly communicate with arights-management module to receive at least one condition correspondingto the rights-managed audio content, the audio recording moduleconfigured to record the audio rights-managed content according to theat least one condition.
 20. The digital audio recording apparatus ofclaim 19, wherein the audio recording module operates in a first mode inresponse to accepting the at least one condition and a second mode inresponse to declining the at least one condition, the first modeincluding one of recording the rights-managed content at a high soundquality, or recording the rights-managed audio content withoutrestrictions, and the second mode including one of recording therights-managed audio content at a low sound quality less than the highsound quality, or preventing recording of the rights-managed audiocontent. 21.-25. (canceled)